The government officially submitted to the Knesset Monday a bill for
elections on September 4, immediately after the summer vacation and
less than two weeks before the Rosh HaShanah holiday.

Ironically, the government headed by Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu has been one of the most stable in recent years, but the
sudden storm over the law concerning draft exemptions for hareidi
religious youth provided an opportunity to exploit favorable polls.

Unlike previous elections, this campaign will last only four months,
a relief for many voters who quickly become tired of political party
jingles. The relatively short period also might be in Netanyahu’s
favor because it gives the new party formed by Yair Lapid less time
to organize.

Prime Minister Netanyahu told the Cabinet Monday his government’s
achievements were brought about amid political stability but
added, “It is no secret that…there is a loosening of the coalition
stability…that results in blackmail and populism , which damage our
principles, security, economy and society."

Mainstream media already is trying to paint the Likud party as being
led by "”extremists,” which was the term Israel Broadcasting
Authority´s flagship radio station used Monday to describe Likud
Knesset Members who support a Jewish presence throughout Judea and
Samaria.

The opposition parties said that the government has failed to
provide “social justice,” but the growing economy may make it a
difficult area for an attack on the outgoing coalition.

The issue of Judea and Samaria provides an easier and more definable
target for mainstream media and opposition leaders, who have argued
that developing Judea and Samaria for Jews has taken funds away from
social programs.